Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Evelino Pidò
Stage director – John Schlesinger

Royal Opera House, London, England. Monday, November 7th, 2016

Tonight’s performance of Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the Royal Opera House was a revival of John Schlesinger’s 1980 production. I was surprised to find that it dates from 1980 because it looks more like dating from 1880. Incredible to think that in a theatre as technologically advanced as the Royal Opera House it still requires lengthy scene changes for each act, making an already long evening feel even longer. Part of the blame has to be laid at the feet of tonight’s conductor, Evelino Pidò, whose pedestrian amble through the score lacked any sense of verve, vigour or even life. Rhythms were heavy, tempi laborious and he really did manage to suck the energy out of this vivacious score. Schlesinger’s production was big on heavy fake drapes and there were a few instances of the set not doing what it was supposed to. I’m sure the boors who come along to boo every new production at the Royal Opera loved it but after Kosky’s and Bieito’s insightful productions in Berlin and Oslo respectively, the staging – combined with the conducting – sadly felt very tired.

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